January 26, 2014

Started a new online program to help 11yo become fluent with her math facts - Reflex.  A little frustrating learning the new games but also fun because earning tokens allows her to upgrade her avatar.

We started Prima Latina the beginning of December.  It was a nice jaunt through mostly familiar territory.  We are now done and 11yo is asking to return to Lively Latin and Magistra Drown.

We also finished another Usborne book to be donated to the grandchildren - Usborne's First Encyclopedia of  Our World.

I'm trying to read about different countries with 11yo.  Yes, this book is below her level, but seriously, most of the library's books about Iraq were either simplistic or way more information than I wanted.  There doesn't seem to be a good in between.

Hoping for a productive week.  Last week there was a meeting or activity planned every day that I needed to either attend or drive to.  Have I ever said how much I hate meetings?

January 10, 2014

Well... we had a good start and then the week fizzled.  Wednesday was the "math" day.  Thursday we ran errands and I gave up when I remembered that I would be in town most of the evening too.  Today was improved somewhat.

The new format I tried out this week for a check list didn't work for me.  I felt kind of lost.  Currently tweaking it again for next week.

Math - I went back and reread a post I had made last year about the same subject - time spent on math.  Some new posts were added by homeschool parents who have taught math and science on the college/university level.  Their comments buoyed me.  Yes, we need to have a strong base in arithmetic, but it shouldn't take more than an hour each day to achieve.  Today I started to scale back on the number of math problems we do in a lesson.  I'm trying to find the sweet spot where we can maintain previously learned material while doing the fewest problems possible.

A couple of weaknesses we have to shore up.
1) I haven't figured out a way to help her recall of math facts.  Sometimes it's there and sometimes it isn't.  I've looked at Timez Attack a few times.  Someone also mentioned Reflex.
2) She waits for me to explain things to her.  She needs to be able to look at a problem set and figure out how to work that particular set of problems without a mommy review.

Math - disgruntled

Looks like this might be a yearly theme:  Math (March 2013)

Spent a ridiculous amount of time on a math lesson today.  I am disgruntled.

Happy

Happy in a content way.

When you finish a school day and feel like smiling that is a very good thing.  : )

I also want to put in a plug for Prima Latina from Memoria Press.  I tried this with my other girls years ago.  It was the blind leading the blind and I couldn't see the path ahead.  It really helps that I now know a wee bit of Latin and that much of this is review for 11yo (Lively Latin has been our main program).  It is a nice blend of English grammar and a gentle introduction to Latin.

I need inspiration

We haven't  had school for over two weeks!  We could have restarted this week, but I just could not make myself.  Teachers need a break too.

And you know what?  I'm not feeling excited about Monday either.  I'm sitting here with my homeschool notebook trying to look for some inspiration.

Lessons like "Checking division with multiplication" and "Using good and well" aren't quite cutting it.

History, will you save us?  Yes, I think history is the ticket.  11yo loves history.

Climbing Parnassus

Woo Hoo!  Found this at a used bookstore this evening.

Usborne First Encylopedia of the Human Body

Finally finished another book for the donation pile (grandkids :).

We haven't worked on school in over a week.  I'm having serious withdrawals.  I'm sure I'll be cured the first day.  Lol!

Christmas Break

We didn't get to school today (doctor's appointment and more shopping), so I officially called "Christmas Break."  I also informed 11yo that we will start back up after Christmas.  She said, "Un hunh (informal yes)," but I'm not sure if it really registered.

This evening she read more Tales of the Odyssey to me and I read more from the body book and Peter and the Star Catchers to her.

No school?

I'm even more behind than normal on Christmas shopping this year due to the week when we had ice on the roads.  Today that meant that we never got to school.  It feels so .... wrong.  And I'm afraid that tomorrow will be more of the same.

Delivery Woes (update)

For Black Friday Memoria Press offered free shipping.  Trying to save money, I bought the sixth grade curriculum package.  What I didn't pay attention to or worry about was that free shipping meant book rate with the USPS.  The boxes arrived in poor condition and "held together with tape" condition.  Numerous items were missing.  I wrote about it here: Detour Over & Delivery and Delivery Woes.

Memoria Press and I have been in contact and they have been gracious.  They replaced all the missing items and paid for shipping through UPS.  Today the box arrived in great condition and the books inside were pristine.

Before this happened, I believed it was the business's responsibility if the goods were damaged before they reached my home.  But this ordeal taught me something.  If I consciously choose to use a shipping option that is less reliable I am increasing the chances of a loss.  If the company replaces the lost or damaged items, those losses will eventually be passed along to the consumer - me.  I want to support businesses that deal with homeschoolers not hurt them.

I will be carefully choosing my shipping options next time I make an order.